Midnight Bike Ride

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Midnight Bike Ride scheduled for April 16, 2020 has been cancelled.

The Ride is scheduled to return on September 10, 2020. Check back here for updates as we approach that date.

Hog Butcher for the World, Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat, Player with Railroads and the Nation's Freight Handler; Stormy, husky, brawling, City of the Big Shoulders. -Carl Sandberg

The next Midnight Ride is scheduled for Thursday, September 10, 2020.

Since 1989, Loyola University history professor Timothy Gilfoyle has conducted a "midnight bike ride" for his students and friends. The event introduces students to major themes in American history by visiting various historic sites in Chicago.

The adventure returns this Fall at 9 pm on Thursday, September 10, 2020 in the plaza just south of the East Quad and bounded by Cuneo Hall, Madonna della Strada Chapel, and Mundelein Center on the Lake Shore Campus of Loyola University. Riders normally return to campus between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. the following day. The ride takes place in the late evening and morning hours in order to avoid daytime and rush-hour traffic and because participants always see and learn more on a bike than during a bus ride or walking tour. Riders pedal at a leisurely pace (this is not a race), frequently stopping at important historical and architectural sites. Pit stops to eat, drink, and visit the rest room are frequent. All Loyola students, faculty and alumni are invited, and they are encouraged to bring family and friends.

Participants are urged to dress warmly, preferably wearing layers of clothing in order to adapt to the frequently changing Chicago weather. Gloves are also recommended in the event of cold weather, particularly in the early morning hours. Participants should bring money to pay for food and drink, and are also required to sign a legal waiver of release prior to the ride.

Don’t have a bike? No problem! Loyola students may rent bikes for $20 (discounted from the regular $36 charge) from Chainlinks located at 1100 W. Sheridan Road on the ground level in the Parking Structure next to Campus Transportation on the Lake Shore Campus. A sign is displayed in the entry way to the garage with Chainlink's name on it. Bike reservations are available online at www.chainlinksluc.com/rent-a-bike. All reservations will be held for 48 hours from the day that they are made. Renters need to bring a valid driver’s license or student ID and method of payment. Chainlinks highly encourages students to reserve a bike online to expedite the rental process. Bikes are also available without reservation, but the process will just take longer. Finally, daily rentals are valid for 24 hours: if a rental is processed at 2pm, the bike should be returned the following business day at 2pm.